FAYE: Harmony's departure leaves Lady Cardinals picking up the pieces

Lamar's coach Robin Harmony offers feedback as tehy get ready to head into the fourth quarter against Abilene Christian in the Southland tournament semi-final at the Merrell Center in Katy. Photo taken Saturday, March 16, 2019 Kim Brent/The Enterprise less

Lamar's coach Robin Harmony offers feedback as tehy get ready to head into the fourth quarter against Abilene Christian in the Southland tournament semi-final at the Merrell Center in Katy. Photo taken ... more

Photo: Kim Brent, The Enterprise

Photo: Kim Brent, The Enterprise

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Lamar's coach Robin Harmony offers feedback as tehy get ready to head into the fourth quarter against Abilene Christian in the Southland tournament semi-final at the Merrell Center in Katy. Photo taken Saturday, March 16, 2019 Kim Brent/The Enterprise less

Lamar's coach Robin Harmony offers feedback as tehy get ready to head into the fourth quarter against Abilene Christian in the Southland tournament semi-final at the Merrell Center in Katy. Photo taken ... more

Photo: Kim Brent, The Enterprise

FAYE: Harmony's departure leaves Lady Cardinals picking up the pieces

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Maybe she saw the writing on the wall, or maybe it was simply time for a change after six years in Beaumont.

Either way, head coach Robin Harmony is leaving the Lamar University women's basketball team to take the same job at the College of Charleston, and the remaining Lady Cardinals are now left to pick up the pieces.

Harmony's departure on Friday came swiftly and without warning, but looking back, it was one we should have seen coming. After building a perennial championship contender in the Southland Conference, all signs pointed to a significant drop off at Lamar next season.

Last month, senior guards Moe Kinard and Chastadie Barrs each played their final game as a Cardinal during Lamar's loss to South Alabama in the first round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament.

Harmony had a special connection with Kinard and Barrs, players who she said "put the program on the map." They both embraced and embodied Harmony's fast-paced style of play, as well as her ruthless defensive tactics that earned Lamar a reputation around the Southland.

To make matters worse this offseason, reigning Southland Newcomer of the Year Miya Crump announced she would transfer to the University of Houston after a stellar freshman season at Lamar. The Lady Cardinals were looking at basically a total rebuild — a task made tougher by the now high expectations that come with the open Lamar job.

Thing is, Harmony now faces an equally as difficult rebuild at her next job. Last season, the College of Charleston went 7-23 overall and 3-15 in the Colonial Athletic Association. The team's former coach, Candice M. Jackson, did not have her contract renewed.

Heading to South Carolina, Harmony now gets closer to Florida where she played college ball at Miami. Still, the move to Charleston from Lamar seems like a lateral one to me. It's a great hire for College of Charleston athletic director Matt Roberts, and coaches have every right to work where they want, but I expected a bigger job coming for Harmony.

"We look forward to having her build our women's basketball program into a championship contender in the Colonial Athletic Association," Roberts said in a statement.

Harmony's six years in Beaumont have undoubtedly been successful. She leaves Lamar with the second most wins in school history. Three times she led Lamar to a regular-season Southland championship. A 42-game home winning streak was ended with last month's WNIT loss at the Montagne Center.

"She has elevated our women's program to new heights during her time here," Lamar athletic director Marco Born said in a statement. "We wish her all the best as she moves forward in her career."

Even with all the success, a Southland tournament championship eluded Harmony in her six years at the helm. Her teams reached the conference semifinals four times, losing each of those games. Cardinal fans likely can't help wondering what could have been, and neither can I.

Another, maybe more important question remains: now what?

It's yet to be seen who on Harmony's staff will stay at Lamar. The most notable of Harmony's assistants — associate head coach Randy Schneider — would be a strong candidate to replace his boss. That is, if he doesn't end up going with her.

Schneider, who is described as a "indefatigable recruiter" on Lamar's website, was on Harmony's staff at St. Thomas before being brought to Beaumont.

Schneider was unable to be reached for comment on Friday, and Harmony won't be available until her introductory press conference at the College of Charleston next Wednesday.

Born will now be tasked with making the second head coaching hire of his short tenure at Lamar.

Whomever ends up taking the job will be leading a program with high expectations and a depleted roster. It's a combination that could give any potential coach cause to pause.

"We have already begun the process of searching for our next head coach and will have no further comment on the process until a hire is made," Born said.